Your favorite type of razor

[gpjoe]

I've been doing this for several years now, and have used all of the shaving formats listed in this poll. I get my best shaves from my...

Spoiler

...DE Safety razors.

A brief explanation of my results with each (bear in mind that brevity is not one of my strong points ):

DE raror: This one doesn't always give me my closest shave, but is the easiest to clean up my trouble spots (tip of my chin, neck - just behind/below my ears, jawline.) Still my best all-round shave, always DFS+, and approaching BBS.

SE razor: I use these (Vector, Shield Predator) mainly to shave my head and get my closest shaves from the Shield (GEM) and get very nice autopilot shaves from the Vector. I've never used either on my face. I have a few vintage Schick injectors but have never used those.

Shavette: This one gives me my closest shaves (face only), but I still struggle with my trouble spots...I can get a wonderful DFS with my shavettes, with BBS on most of my neck and cheeks, but can still feel a bit of stubble in my trouble spots, which require a DE to remove completely. I don't NEED to touch up with a DE, though I often do.

Straight razor: this one has been a puzzle for me. I get FAR superior shaves from my shavettes...possible lack of commitment/perseverance on my part.

Carts and electric?...I don't us em anymore and included those in the poll for those who do.

So, what's your favorite shaving tool (format)?

 

[EdHeart]

Hmmm, really impressive number 2100%, but then again only 2 have responded.

I look forward to seeing how this plays out over the next couple of days.

@gpjoe I admire and identify with your passion to use a variety of tools to get the job done. Once upon time, many moons past, in a land far away, I did similarly. I had an electric for about a minute to shave my head, alternating with carts mostly, and then at some point hence, dabbled with a straight to clean up my mug.

At this point in my journey I'm using two (2), a Leaf for my head, replacing the cart thing and my beloved NLC and NSC to clean up my face, keeping my beard sharp.

My work gig affords me the opportunity to not have to worry so much as to the length of time between shaves. I'm finding once/week is a decent enough groove and this allows me to get BBS on my noggin' and and cheeks, and very near BBS with little irritation on my neck.

For the relatively few hours this lasts, it feels great.

I could be shaving twice/week, and would only if there were an occasion demanding a more elegant look.

 

[Cal]

DE Safety Razor

 

[kingfisher]

AC shavettes are my favorites.

 

[frbock]

I actually have 2 favorites. DE and cart. They're at opposite ends on everything.
Speed, cart. DE is leisurely
closeness, Cart is closer on one pass shaving
Control, Cart has a small head so it's just easier to shave under the nose.
Sensation, DE. there's just something about the sound of the DE scraping across the face. Reminds me of the scene where the people are being served Rattatoui, and it takes them to their youth.

When I travel, I have an Edwin Jager Mach 3, a Tuxedo brush, and Jack Black Supreme Creame. I do face lathering. It does a good job, and I don't freak out TSA because I have loose blades in my luggage.
At home, I have more space, and I'm usually less rushed. Vikings blade Emperor (Lord Platinum), tub of Jack supreme, and a soft soap, currently Noble Otter Hamam, and a couple of shaving bowls to mix lather in.
Shavette, and straight edge... I'll leave that to the brave. I'm far too old to start playing with that.
I had a Norelco for a couple years, real quick but mediocre shave. It's kind of like breathing, you need to do it, but most of the time you don't even think about it.
I've never tried SE mostly because of the incompatible systems. Half blade, injector, etc. I suspect I might actually like it. It has one of the features I like on the cart, small head

 

[DrStrange]

Straight razor makes me wish my beard grew faster.

I like my Ranger Tech too, but not nearly as much as that.

 

[WThomas0814]

I, too, have tried every format.

SR tried to murder me, Shavette only wanted me maimed.

SE (AC and Gem) were more experimentation/novelty. I got good shaves, but, they just didn't thrill me.

I used an electric for 20-ish years, switching back to wet shaving during the pandemic.

Now, I travel with a first release flat handle NDC Trac II. Other than that, it's DE.

 

[Wgg2017]

DE razor. Either a Timeless ti .68 oc or a Blutt BR-1 1.20. I like the nimbleness of a de compared to other single blade razors.

Carts and electrics don’t work well for me.

 

[losing]

I am a shavette and adjustable DE fan. Mainly because i haven't tried other types of traditional razors. I tried a SR, a few shaves were done but the stropping and honing didn't or couldn't happen or i could do it well...

My hands especially righty have started to cooperate so a shavette i have been on a look out for.

 

[J-MN]

At this point DE is my favorite format, but two specific SE razors, the Vector Lite and La Faulx, are right up there too.

My favorite DE razors are the Ti Blackbird Lite, Feather AS-D2, and Game Changer .68P.

 

[purecro]

DE razor, simple.

 

[Tanuki]

I have used DEs for over 50 years. But I would have probably just stuck with a Schick injector if I hadn't been given my grandad's Old Type.

I was always intrigued by SRs. Now that I can hone my own, SRs are my favorites when I have the leisure for a luxury shave.

Favorite for a fast shave - injector
Favorite for an extremely close shave - DE three-piece OC
Favorite for a luxury shave - 6/8 SR

 

[rasoirdangereux]

Tried all format for years.

I don't care if it's DE or SE as long as it's safety razor. All of my favorite razors are safety razors.

Straight razors - Loved to shave with them and only used them for more than 3 years. Don't enjoy the maintenance anymore.

Shavettes - Not my favorite tools but most fun to use these days so these are my main shavers.

Catrigde - Catridge razors with double blades are good shavers but doesn't appeal to me aesthetically. Triple and more blades give me burns

Electric - don't like them at all. Lots of burns after I shave my neck with them.

 

[Hugh]

Vintage Gillette DE razors are a nostalgic pleasure and provide both a super close and comfortable shave. Paired with today's modern technology creating amazing DE blades shaving is not a chore but something to be enjoyed. Love Nacet and Voskhod blades in particular.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

Artist Club razors for me. The blades feel sharper to me than DE ones, definitely last longer and are more rigid, eliminating any chance of chatter. In fact they tend to reach their peak at around the point I generally toss DE blades.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Single edge, specifically the 1912 patented Gem Damaskeene.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I didn't cast a vote as I enjoy my SE AC razors along with my DE razors about equally, I'd guess....

 

[slather]

Started with DE's at beginning of shaving journey.
Brief interlude with Straight Razor, too slow and not into maintenance.
Tried electric razors, but caused issues with my sensitive skin.
Swayed by disposable two blade razors for a while.
Back in the fold with DE razors.
1945 Fat handled Tech and 1961 Ball End Tech.
1967 Slim, tuned and plated by Back Roads Gold.
The Winning Razor from Wet Shave Club.

 

[roaduck]

Started out with a 1960's Philips Philishave two head battery rotary when I was fourteen - I have one now and can get a DFS with it but it takes far too long to get a semi decent result.

Used BIC orange and Gillette GII disposables etc in my early twenties - hated them - necessary evil.

Erm in my mid twenties I went straight to straights - mostly crappy antique bargains - learned to hone and strop with budget stones then eventually got some lovely French, German and English vintage carbons.They got nicked in a burglary and I never replaced them ; I was heartbroken because of the happy memories etc.

Oh I've been a smithy making knives since I was a teenager and done tons of DIY, building work and gardening and can basically sharpen anything which I love ; so adore all sharpies.

Got a huge kitchen knife and scissor collection (600-700 ? - no idea) which is static now lol.

When I emigrated to France I discovered coticules - what a revelation; much less faffing about.

Had to live in Egypt and China for my career - still used straights; they were too much maintenance at the time so I copied the locals using ancient Gillettes at first then Lord razors with Lord and Shark blades.

Came back to England to look after my poorly Mum, eventually retired due to ill health and used a handful of bargain basement DE razors for 2 decades.

Then in my late fifties joined here and saw the light, started looking after myself better with half decent kit after 40 odd years of using mostly crap cheap razors.

Got a Gold PAA Ascension for my birthday last October and never looked back which cost a fortune to me - I didn't think my face was worth it - now I love it.

Never tried single edge razors because the blades here in the UK cost an absolute fortune - 2-3 times the cost in America and never saw the point of them anyway.

Bought a cheap shavette by mistake once - that went straight in the bin but got one evil cheap devette lol !

So basically my fav is DE safety razors and use a budget cut-throat to keep me sharp and on my toes now and again - need to buy a decent one this Spring/Summer.

I'm used to shaving half-cut with rusty, pitted antique straights with no mirror and sometimes no water so now all my scrapers are a beautiful luxury.

So Thanks for having me all you guys - I'm groomed and chuffed and don't need happy pills and I'm allergic to doctors.

 

[Hugh]

Artist Club razors for me. The blades feel sharper to me than DE ones, definitely last longer and are more rigid, eliminating any chance of chatter. In fact they tend to reach their peak at around the point I generally toss DE blades.

Never used a straight or Artist Club and have always wanted to but don't want to shell out the money and then perhaps be sorry later. If I liked it I would be happy to shell out the cash later. I wish there was a way to rent an Artist Club or equivalent. Meanwhile, I am a dedicated DE shaver.